The Japan expedition. Japan and around the world: An account of three visits to the Japanese empire, with sketches of Madeira, St. Helena, cape of Good Hope, Mauritius, Ceylon, Singapore, China, and Loo-ChooSpalding, J. W. (J. Willett)
History
The Japan expedition. Japan and around the world: An account of three visits to the Japanese empire, with sketches of Madeira, St. Helena, cape of Good Hope, Mauritius, Ceylon, Singapore, China, and Loo-Choo
Spalding, J. W. (J. Willett)
Japan -- Description and travel; Voyages and travels
After clearing Reef islands, bring Wood Hill to bear S. S. E., when
stand down for it, until getting upon the line of bearing for _South
channel_. This will carry you well clear of Blossom reef, yet not so
far off but that the White Tomb and clump of trees or bushes to the
southward of Tumai Head can be easily distinguished. An E. N. E. ½ E.,
or E. N. E. course will now take you in clear of all dangers, and give
a good anchorage on or near the seven-fathom bank, about half a mile to
the northward and westward of False Capstan Head. This channel being
perfectly straight, is more desirable for a stranger entering the
harbor, than _Oar channel_, which, though wider, has the disadvantage
of its being necessary for a vessel to alter her course some four or
five points, just when she is in the midst of reefs, which are nearly
all below the surface of the water.
TO ENTER BY OAR CHANNEL.
Bring the centre of the island in Junk harbor (known by the deep
verdure of its vegetation), to fill the gap between the forts at the
entrance of Junk harbor and steer a S. E. ½ E. course, until Capstan
Head bears east, when haul up to E. N. E. and anchor as before directed.
THE NORTH CHANNEL
Is very much contracted by a range of detached rocks making out from
the reef on the west side, and should not under ordinary circumstances
be attempted by a stranger; as at high water the reefs are almost
entirely covered, and it is difficult to judge of your exact position,
unless familiar with the various localities and landmarks. To enter by
this (North) channel, bring a remarkable notch in the southern range
of hills, in line with a small hillock just to the eastward of False
Capstan Head and stand in on this range S. by E. ½ E. until Tumai Head
bears E. ½ N., when open a little to the southward, so as to give the
reef to the eastward a berth, and select your anchorage.
There is a black spar-buoy anchored on Blossom reef _half way between
its eastern and western extremities_, a red spar-buoy on the point
of reef to the W. N. W’d of Abbey point, and a white spar-buoy on
the southeast extremity of Oar reef. Flags of corresponding colors
are attached to all these buoys, and they afford good guides for the
South and Oar channels. There are two large stakes on the reefs to the
eastward and westward of North channel, planted there by the natives,
this being the channel mostly used by junks trading to the northward.
An abundance of water can always be obtained at the fountains in Junk
river, where there is excellent landing for boats. There is a good
spring near the tombs in Tumai bluff, but unless the water is perfectly
smooth the landing is impracticable, and under any circumstances it is
inconvenient from the want of sufficient depth, except at high tide.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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